Humidifier



March 15, 1932. s. s. CRAMER HUMIDIFIER Filed March 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet lNl/E/VTUR sm/vLEY s. CRAMER afi,

A TTORNEV March 15, 1932. s 5, CRAMER 1,849,710

HUMIDIFIER Filgd March 12, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 8

INVENITOR STANLEY s. CRAMER Patented Mar. 15,: 1932 OFFICE STANLEY S. CBAMEB, O1 HADDON HEIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO RADIO CON- DENSEB COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY v nommrma Application filed March 12, 1929. Serial I60. 346,428.

This invention relates to improvements in humidifiers which are used for the purpose of introducing moisture into rooms, particularly those that are heated. The advantages of a humidifier in such rooms, especially large assembly rooms, hospitals, or private dwellings, has long been known and will not be set forth in detail herein.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a humidifier of a much more efficient type than any of which I am aware, and by efficient I mean one in which special attention has been paid to obtaining:

First-a substantially noiseless device.

Second-to create a very fine mist or fog.

Third-to obtain a maximum out at of the mist or fog at a low rate of speed the dIlV- in motor.

l5ourth-to incorporate these essential and necessary features into a unitary structure in which the several parts are self-balancing, whereby the life of the device is prolonged, and in which the device permits of rapld commercial production.

in devices of the kind herein described, so far as I am aware, little or no attention has seemingly been paid to the dimensions and weight of the revolving parts and their contribution to the etliciency of the apparatus. By way of illustration, it may be noted that in the construction to be hereinafter described, I have found by. tests that the device will dispense a greater amount of water per hour with the combined double disc pump pulverizer with the small pump tube, as against certain prior art devices having a smgle disc having a pump tube having a much larger internal diameter.

By making the pump tube of my device of a size not in excess of the diameter of the motor shaft, I have eliminated what I call the overhanging weight, which is an' important feature for the reason that the pump tube extends downwardly some distance elow the motor shaft, and if this tube were larger than the shaft in diameter, then a considerable amount of gyroscopic action would be developed. By making the pump tube of light tubing and of small diameter, I have reduced to a minimum, the ill effects which have been set up in devices of this kind heretofore proposed.

Further refinement in the pumping system is obtained by providing a pair of fiat discs mounted for rotation on the motor shaft. By selecting these revolving members which are not deformed in any manner, a perfect balance is obtained as regards these parts which lend themselves to easy and fast production, and which eliminates all necessity of balancing these discs to get quietness of operation. By arranging these rotating discs- :1 very small distance apart, a greater vacuum lift is generated than if one disc were fixed and the other'moving. This meansthat discs of smaller diameter may be used and still obtain a reater lifting power on the water through t e pump tube, and the fluid is pulverized and broken up more quickly and linely, and a finer mist or fog is made, with increased quietness in operation, for the reason that if solid particles of fluid are thrown out between the discs into the diffuser, the discs would produce a noise, whereas a finely divided mixture ejected by the discs of my construction, is practically noiseless.

A further contribution to the production of a noiseless device is found in the shroud or cover which fits down into the auxiliary container, thereby efiectively boxing up certain minor noises that may exist. This shroud or cover also performs the function of acting as a deflector for the mixture stream as it comes through the diifuser.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for the purpose described which is of relatively small dimensions and.

therefore portable, and one that is attractive in appearance.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device in which the motor and the parts operated by the motor may be quickly removed from the apparatus for any purpose desired. 4

A further object is to provide a humidifier which does not require a skilled operator to put the apparatus together or to operate it.

These and other objects will be apparent to one skilled in the art after a study of the specification taken in connection with the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectional view on a reduced scale through the apparatus, showing the motor however, in full.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the fan member used for the circulation of the mixture through the apparatus.

Fi re 3 is a fragmentary view of a modified orm of diffuser.

Figure 4 shows a detail of the fluid control valve.

Figure 5 is a view of the valve per se shown in Figure 4, but turned ninety degrees.

Figure 6 is a view on a reduced scale lookin down on the apparatus shown in Figure lfiiut with one-half shown with the motor unit and auxiliary container removed.

Figure 7 is a plan view looking down from the top, of the unitary structure comprising the motor, its support, and other parts.

Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig ure 1, but showing a modification of certain of the details.

Referring now to the details wherein like numbers refer to corresponding parts in the various views, 1 is a main container preferably having a plurality of sound-deadening supports 2 attached thereto. Around the upper rim of the container 1 is a series of perforations 3 which comprise the inlet for airinto the main container. An auxiliary container 4 has a flange 5 which supports it from the rim of the container 1, so as to leave an annular space 6 between the two containers. The flange 5 is bent downward so as to substantially cover the openings 3, but the flange 5 is so formed as to leave an annular space 7, so that air can pass therethrough into the openings 3 and downward into the annular space 6. The bottom of the auxiliary container 4 is preferably provided with an annular rib 8 to stifi'en it, adjacent the opening 9 therein.

An electric motor 10 of the universal type is carried on a support 11 having a plurality of radially extending arms 12, three being shown in Figure 7. The arms 12 have projections 13 which are provided with cushions 14 preferably of soft rubber which may be attached to the projections 13 in any satisfactory manner, as by snapping them over the heads of screw studs 15. The support 11 carries an annular packing ring 16 preferably of soft rubber, which fits around the flange 17 of the motor 10, thereby providing with the cushions 14 and the cushions 2, triple means for deadening the sound and vibrations coming from the humidifier.

Attached to the projections 13, is an annular ring 18. To the ring 18 is attached by means of screws 19, a difiuser or comb-like member consisting of a rim 20 and a multiplicity of tines or fingers 21, which are spaced apart a very small distance, as shown in Figures 1 and 7, in which latter figure, only a few of the tines or fingers are shown adjacent each of the arms 12.

Mounted on the support 11 as by screws 22, is a bafile plate 23 which is an imperforate disc for causing the mixture to be hereinafter referred to to take the path which it should follow. Mounted on the motor shaft 24', is a stem 25 having an annular flange 26. The stem 25 is held to the shaft 24 by a nut 27. A collar 28 is fastened to the flange 26 by a plurality of screws 29, and between the collar 28 and the flange-26, there are clamped two flat discs 30 and 31, which are spaced apart a very slight distance by spacing washers 32 which fit over the screws 29. Thus, a very narrow space is left between the discs 30 and 31, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained.

The collar 28 is preferably threaded, and engaging these threads, is a hollow coneshaped member 33, and to the apex of the cone 33, is attached a small tube 34, preferably metallic, extending downward, so that its lower end will extend below the level of the fluid, preferably water, in the bottom of the container 1. The lower end of the tube 34, preferably has a slot 35 therein which is for the purpose of beating or drumming the fluid into motion at this point. As shown in Figure 1, the tube 34 projects within a standpipe 36 that is fastened to the bottom of the container 1 as by soldering, so as to provide a water-tight joint at the union.

A sleeve 37 extends at an angle from the standpipe 36 and is for the purpose of supporting a valve 38, the end of which is cut away at 57 so as to control the opening 39 in the sleeve 37. The valve 38 is preferably connected to the outside of the container 1 as by a control rod 40, which is operated by a knob 41 attached to the rod on the outside of the container. By this valve arrangement, the amount of fluid that is allowed to enter the standpipe 36, may be controlled according to the amount of moisture required in the air or the room within which the humidifier may be placed.

A. float 42 may be used, and when used, may be connected with a stem 43 extending into a sight gauge 44 which may be seen through an elongated opening in the side of the container 1. I

The collar 28 has clamped beneath it, a fan member 45 having a plurality of blades 46, eight being shown.

The connections to the motor are preferably made b a cable 47' which extends through the base 0 the container 1 and up through a pipe 48 which is fastened to the bottom of the container 1 as by soldering, so as to form a water-tight joint. A terminal block 49 is carried on the upper end of the pipe 48, and it will be understood that the block 49 is positioned above the level of the fluid to be put into the container 1. As shown in As will be seen from Figure 1, the motor and diffuser with the discs 30 and 31, with the collar 28, and cone-shaped member 33, and tube 34, comprise, a unitary structure which is supported on the cushions 11 on the bottom of the auxiliary container 4, and

. when the cover 51 is removed, the unitary structure comprising the moving parts, may be lifted out of the auxiliary container by first withdrawing the plug attached to the cable 50, from the terminal, block 49.

In the operation of my device as shown in Figure 1 and just described, the rotation of the motor shaft 24 tends to set up a vacuum between the flat discs 30 and 31, and this draws the fluid up the small orifice in the tube 34, where it is fanned out within the cone-shaped member 33, after which it passes into the space between the discs 30 and 31, it being understood that there is a hole or opening in the lower disc 31 to. allow the drops or film of fluid to enter within said space between the discs. Preferably, the discs 30 and 31 are spaced by the thin washers 32 an amount which is less that the diameter of a drop of the fluid that is used, and due to this condition, the drop is flattened out and spread over the surface of the discs into whorls, until finally a very thin spray is forcibly ejected from between the discs into the tines or fin ers 21 of the diffuser.

oincident with this action, the blades 46 will induce a flow of air through the openings 7 3, and the annular space 6, upwardly through the opening 9 in the auxiliary container 4, where the air is driven by the fan' blades 46 through the tines or fingers 21 of the diffuser, thereby making a very fine mixture of air and fluid vapor which is guided g through the difiuser by the baflie plate 23 into the upper part of the auxiliary container 4. In many cases, I prefer to use the cover 51, and when this is used, the mixture stream is drawn inwardly and out the neck 52 of the cover 51; As previously pointed out, the amount of fluid which may be taken up and ejected from the machine as above described, is controlled by the control knob 41 operating the valve 38. V

In the form shown in Figure- 8, the gen eral construction is similar to that shown in Figure 1, except the cone 33 is made somewhat different and the tube 34 is not used in operation with a standpipe. Thus, the amount of fluid entering the tube 34, is controlled by a valve 53 operated by an adjusting screw 54, which when operated, moves the end of the valve member 53 more or less over ah opening into the end of the tube 34.

In'either form, the tube 34 which has an internal diameter of approximately (as compared with prior art devices of is preferably of a diameter smaller than the motor shaft 24, so that there is no overhanging weight, as I have previously referred to; and sine-e the tube 34 is very light and of small diameter, no gyroscoplc action is set up, even though it does extend for some distance beyond the end of the motor shaft. I have found by many tests that such a construction is highly essential to securing efficient operation of the humidifier.

As shown in Figure 3, the tines 21 may be formed directly from an integral piece of soft metal, such as copper, whereby they are supported by the two side bands 55 and 56.

By using this construction, much thinner metal may be used and the tines brought closer together, thereby getting a greater diffusing action and even quieter operation, and a much finer mist or fog.

It has already'been pointed out that the method of mounting the motor on its support, and the entire support itself, as well as the main container 1, is such as to reduce to a minimum the mechanical noises coming from the machine. It is also to be noted that the fiat discs 30 and 31 contributeto reducing the noise, as they provide a construction giving a perfect mechanical balance on the rotating part of the apparatus. Any deformation ofthese discs, would tend to unbalance the rotating structure. It should also be noted that'the space between the discs 30 I and 31 is such that should the voltage of the circuit on which the motor is operating increase in value, the motor speed would increase and more moisture would be injected into the mixture stream, but this is compensated'for by the fact that when the speed increases, the peripheral edges of the discs tend to approach each other, due to the partial vacuum setup between the rotating discs, whereby the atmospheric pressure on the outside of the discs tends to force the peripheral edges thereof toward each other against the normal effectof centrifugal force acting on the plates and tending to hold them in a horizontal position thereby automatically obstructing and cutting down the flow of fluid ejected into the diffuser, and this feature, together with the control valve, provides means whereby the mixture stream may be supplied with any desired amount of moisture. 4

From what has been said, it will beapparcut that the details of my invention may be varied considerably, without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, wha I claim is: i

1. A humidifier including in combination,

a main container for carrying a fluid in the bottom thereof and having a plurality of air openings through its wall around and near its outer rim, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and havin a central hole in its bottom and an outer fliinge to overhang the rim of the main container to conceal said openings therein but to allow the flow of air therethrough, a motor having a support carried by and within said auxiliary container, a fixed baflie plate carried by the motor support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent said baflie plate and carried by the motor shaft, means for holding said discs a slight distance apart, a tube extending downward through the central hole in the auxiliary container from said discs to a point where its end will be submerged within the fluid in the main container, said tube opening between said discs, a diffuser comprising a circular ring attached to a part of the mofor support and having a part formed into a comb which extends in front of the edges of said discs, and a fan carried adjacent the lower disc, whereby air coming through the central opening of the auxiliary container is forced through said comb as the broken up fluid is thrown from between said discs.

2. A humidifier including in combination, a main container for carrying a fluid in the bottom thereof and having a plurality of air openings through its wall around and near its outer rim, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and having a central hole in its bottom and an outer flange to overhang the rim of the main container to conceal said openings therein but to allow the flow of air therethrough, a motor having a support carried by and within said auxiliary container, a fixed baflle plate carried by the motor support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent said baflle plate and carried by the motor shaft, means for holding said discs a slight distance apart, a hollow cone-shaped member fastened to said discs so the hollow part opens into the space between the discs and centrally positioned with respect to the hole in said auxiliary container, a tube carried by said cone-shaped member and extending downward so as to be submerged in the fluid in the main container, a circular comb diffuser carried by the motor support and surrounding the periphery of said discs, and means carried at the junction of the cone-shaped member and one of the discs to induce air through said central opening in the auxiliary container and force it out through said comb diffuser with the fluid coming from between said discs.

3. A humidifier including in combination, a main container for carrying afluid in the bottom thereof and having a plurality of air openings through its wall around and near its outer rim, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and having a central hole in its bottom and an outer flange to overhang the rim of the main container to conceal said openings therein but to allow the flow of air therethrou h, a motor having a support carried b an within said auxiliary container, a fixe bafiie plate carried by the motor support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent said baflle plate and carried by the motor shaft, means for holding said discs a slight distance apart, a standpipe centrally positioned in the bottom of the main container and having an opening at the foot of the standpipe, means for controlling said opening to regulate the amount of fluid passing into the standpipe a tube extending downward from said discs into said standpipe, said tube opening between said discs, a circular comb difl'user carried by the motor support and surrounding the periphery of said discs, and means carried adjacent the lower disc for inducing air through said central opening in the'auxiliary container and forcing it through said comb with the fluid coming from between said discs.

4. A humidifier including in combination, a main container for carrying a fluid in the bottom thereof and having a plurality of air openings through its wall around and near its outer rim, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and having a central hole in its bottom and an outer flange to overhang the rim of the main container to conceal said openings therein but to allow the flow of air therethrough, a motor having a support carried b and within said auxiliary container, a fixe baflle plate carried by the motor support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent said baflle plate and carried by the motor shaft, means for holding said discs a slight distance apart, a standpipe centrally positioned in the bottom of the main container and having an opening at the foot of the standpipe, and means includin a control rod extending so as to be manua 1y operable for regulating the amount of fluid passing into said standpipe, a hollow cone-shaped member attached to said discs so as to open into the narrow space between the discs, a small bore tube extending downward through the central opening in the auxiliary container from the cone-shaped member to and within said standpipe, a circular comb diffuser carried by the motor support and surrounding the periphery of said discs, and means carried at the junction of the cone-shaped member and one of the discs to induce air through said central opening in the auxiliary container and force it out through said comb difi'user with the fluid coming from between said (11868.

5. A humidifier including in combination, a main container for carrying a fluid in the bottom thereof and having a plurality of air openings through its wall around and near its outer rim, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and having a central hole in its bottom and an outer flange to overhang the rim of the main container to conceal distance apart, a tube ext-ending downward through the central hole in the auxiliary container from said discs to a point Where its end will be submerged within the fluid in the main container, said tube opening between said discs, means for regulating the amount of fluid which is to enter said tube, a circular comb diifuser carried by the motor support and surrounding the periphery of said discs, and means carried adjacent the lower disc for inducing air through said central opening in the auxiliary container and forcing it through said comb with the fluid coming from between said discs.

6. In a humidifier, a main container, an auxiliary container ittin within the main container and supported by the rim thereof so as to leave an annular air intake spacebetween said containers, said auxiliary container having a central opening in its bottom which is some distance from the bottom of the main container, a motor having a support cushioned on the bottom of said auxiliary container, a bafie plate carried by said support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent the baffle plate but carried on the motor shaft in slightly spaced relationship one from the other, a suction tube having an opening leading to the space between said discs and extending from the lower of said pair of discs through said central opening in the auxiliary container to a point near the bottom of the main container, whereby the end may be submerged in fluid in the main container and the fluid drawn up to and between said discs, a diffuser comprising a circular comb carried on the motor support around the outer rim of said discs, and means rotated with the discs for drawing air intothe main container via said annular space and into the auxiliary container through said central opening therein and for forcing the air out through the comb into the auxiliary container above the baflle plate simultaneously with the fluid film comin from between said discs.

In a humidifier, a main container, an auxiliary container fitting within the main container and supported by the rim thereof so as to leave an annular air intake space between said containers, said auxiliary container having a central opening in its bottom which is some distance from the bottom of the main container, a motor having a support cushioned on the bottom of said auxiliary container, a baffle plate carried by said support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent the aflie plate but carried on the motor shaft in slightly spaced relationship one from the other, a suction tube having an opening leadmg to the space between said discs and extending from the lower of said pair of discs through said central opening in the auxiliary container into the fluid in the main container, means for regulating the amount of fluid that may pass through said tube into the space between the discs, a clifluser comprising a circular comb carried on the motor support around the outer rimof said discs, and means rotatedwith the discs for drawing air into the main container via said annular space and into the auxiliary container through said central openin therein and for forcin the air out throng the comb into the aux iarycontainer above the bafile plate simultaneously with the fluid film coming from between said discs.

8. In a humidifier, a main container, an auxiliary container fittin within the main container and supported %y the rim thereof so as to leave an annular air intake space between said containers, said auxiliary container having a central opening in its bottom which is some distance from the bottom of the main container, a motor having a support cushioned on the bottom of said auxiliary container, a bafie plate carried by said support, a pair of discs positioned adjacent the baflie plate but carried on the motor shaft in slightly spaced relationship one from the other, a suction tube having an opening leading to the space between said discs and extending from the lower of said pair of discs through said central opening in the auxiliary container to a point near the bottom of the main container, a standpipe centrally located in the bottom of the main container and extending upward around the lower portion of said tube, a valve at the bottom of the standpipe, and means extending without the container for opening the valve any desired amount to allow fluid to pass into the standpipe and tube, a diffuser comprising a circular comb carried on the motor support around. the outer rim of said discs, and means rotated with the discs for drawing air into the main container via said annular space and into the auxiliary container through said 'central opening therein and for forcing the air out through the comb into the auxiliary container above the bafie plate simultaneously Evith the fluid film coming from between said iscs.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, including a main water container, an auxiliary container carried within but spaced from the main container to form an air inlet, a motor having a support carried by the auxiliary container, means for taking water from the main container and pulverizing it into avery fine mist, said means including; a pair of flat discs slightly spaced one from the other but mounted for rotation with thecmotor shaft and a tube mounted for rotation with the discs extending from the water in the main container to and opening into the space between said discs; a diffuser comprising a circular comb mounted on the motor support adjacent the edge of said discs, and means rotated with said tube for inducin a flow of air through said air inlet and forcin it through the comb in conjunction with sai giist forcibly thrown into the comb by said see.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, including a main water container, an auxiliary container carried within but spaced from the main container to form an air mlet, a motor havin a. support resiliently carried by the auxiliary container, means for taking water from the main container and pulverizing it into a very fine mist, said means includ ing; a pair of flat discsslightly spaced one from the other but mounted or rotation with the motor shaft anda tube mounted for rotation with the discs extending from the water in the main container to and o ening into the v space between said discs, sai tube adjacent e discs being enlarged into the shape of a cone whereby the water coming up the tube is fanned out before it enters between the discs which at once throw it into whorls which are spread out by the centrifugal force of said discs in ever-increasin thinness toward the ed e of the discs; a di user comprising a circu ar comb mounted on the motor support adj acent the edge of said discs, and means rotated with said tube for inducin a flow of air through said air inlet and forcing it through the comb in conjunction with said mist forcibly thrown into the comb by said discs.

I 11. In an apparatus of the class described, including a main water container, an auxiliary container carried within but spaced from the main container to form an air inlet, a motor having a support resiliently carried by the auxiliary container, means for taking {1 water from the main container and pulverizing it into a very fine mist, said means including; a pair of flat discs slightly spaced one from the other but mounted for rotation with the motor shaft and a tube of relatively small diameter mounted for rotation with the discs extending from the water in the main container to and opening into the space between said discs, said tubeiadjacent the discs being enlarged into the shape of a cone whereby the water coming up the tube is fanned out before it enters between the discs which at once throw it into whorls which are spread assume may enter said tube; a diffuser comprising a circular comb mounted on the motor support adjacent the ed e of said discs, and means rotated with sai tube for inducing a flow of air throu h said air inlet and forcing it throu h t e comb in conjunction with said Enist forcibly thrown into the comb by said iscs.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, including a main water container, an auxiliary container carried within but spaced from the main container to form an air inlet, a motor having a support resiliently carried by the auxiliary container, means for taking water from the main container and pulverizing it into a very fine mist, said means includ ing; a pair of flat discs slightly spaced one from the other but mounted for rotation with the motor shaft and a tube of relatively small diameter mounted for rotation with the discs extending from the water in the main container to and opening into the space between said discs, and means for controlling the amount of water which may be drawn up in said tube; a diffuser comprising a circular comb mounted on the motor support adjacent the edge of said discs, and means rotated with said tube for inducing a flow of air through said air inlet and forcing it throu h the comb in conjunction with said mist forcibly thrown into the comb b said discs.

13. In a humidifier of the class described, a fluid container, a motor for supplying power to parts carried within the confines of said container for pulverizing the fluid and mixing the pulverized parts with air, said pulverizing parts including; a pair of discs spaced a slight distance apart and mounted for rotation by the motor, the upper of said discs being imperforate whereby there is a tendency to set up a vacuum between said discs for the purposes described, and a single tube leading from the fluid in the container to the space between said discs said tube havinggtn opening near its free end to take in the 14. In an apparatus of the class described,

a fluid container, a motor for supplying power to parts carried within the confines of said container for pulverizing the fluid and mixing the pulverized part with air, said pulverizing parts including; a pair of discs spaced a slight distance apart and mounted for rotation by the motor, and a tube leading from the fluid in the container to the space between said discs; said mixing parts including a fan rotated with said tube and a circular comb having its teeth extending in front of the annular opening between said discs.

15. For a humidifier of the class described, a fluid pulverizer, comprising a pair of fiat discs slightly spaced apart and mounted for rotation, the upper of said discs being imperforate whereby there is a tendency to set up a vacuum between said discs for the purposes described with means for passing a fluid from a part of the apparatus to an opening in the lower of said discs near its axial center.

16. For a humidifier of the class described, a fluid pulverizer, comprising a pair of flat circular discs supported a slight distance apart near their central axes and adapted to be rotated, the upper of said discs being imperforate whereby there is a tendency to set up a vacuum between said discs for the purposes described, said discs having their outer peripheral portion adapted to move toward each other as the speed of rotation of the discs increases above normal, and means including a single tube having an opening at its free end for passing a fluid from a part of the apparatus into which the tube extends to the space between the discs near their centers.

17. For a humidifier of the class described, a fluid pulverizer, comprising a pair of flat discs spaced apart, at least at their central portions, a distance less than the diameter of a drop of the fluid used in the apparatus, the upper of said discs being imperforate whereby there is a tendency to set up a vacuum between said discs for the'purposes described, said discs being mounted for rotation, and means for passing the fluid from a part of the apparatus to an opening in the lower of said discs near its rotational center.

18. For a humidifier of the class described, a fluid pulverizer, comprising a pair of flat discs mounted for rotation and permanently spaced apart at their central portions, their outer peripheral ed es being free to approach each other or recede to normal position according to the speed at which they are rotat-ed, the upperof said discs being imperforate whereby there is a tendency to set up a vacuum between said discs for the purposes described, said discs being spaced at their central portions a distance preferably less than the diameter of a drop of the fluid used in the apparatus whereby, if the fluid entering the space between the discs as a drop, the drop is immediately flattened and spread out over the discs, and means for passing the fluid from. a part of the apparatus to an opening in the lower of said discs near said permanently spaced part.

19. For a humidifier of the class described, a combined vacuum pump and fluid pulverizer including; a pair of flat circular discs supported a slight distance apart, the upper of said discs being imperforate, a relatively small tube attached to said discs and having an opening into the space between said discs near their axial centers and extending downward into a supply of fluid and having an opening near its lower end, said discs and tube being supported for rotation whereby a suflicient vacuum is set up within the discs to draw the fluid up the tube into the space between said discs, the space therebetween be ing such that if any drop of fluid enters between, it is flattened and spread over the surface of the discs and finally thrown forcibly from between the discs.

20. For an apparatus of the class described, a combined vacuum pump and fluid pulverizer including; a pair of flat circular discs supported at least near their centers a slight distance apart, a hollow cone-shaped member attached to said discs and opening into the space between the discs, a tube having a relatively small passageway fastened to the cone member and extending downward into a supply of fluid, said discs, cone-shaped member,

and tube being supported for rotation whereby a suflicient vacuum is set up within the discs to draw the fluid up the tube 'into the space between said discs, the space therebetween being such that if any'drop of fluid enters between, it is flattened and spread over the surface of the discs and finally thrown forcibly from between the discs.

21. In an apparatus of the class described, a main fluid container, an auxiliary container within the main container, a unitary structure carried within the auxiliary container,

said unitary structure including; a motor, a support for the motor, a baflle plate, a pul vcrizer carried on the motor shaft consisting of two flat discs slightly spaced apart at their central portions, but adapted to move toward each other at their edges as the speed of the motor increases above normal, a fluid feed tube rotating with the discs and opening into the central space between the discs and extending downward into the fluid in the main container, a circular comb diffuser adjacent the edges of the discs, and a fan for forcing air by the edges of said discs through the diffuser and out of the apparatus above the baffle plate.

22. In a humidifier, a main fluid container having means for externally indicating the level of fluid therein, an auxiliary container supported in spaced relation from and within the main container and having a central opening into the main container, a unitary structure carried within the auxiliary container, said unitary structure including; a motor, a support for resiliently carrying the motor, a bailie plate on the support, a pulverizer attached to the motor shaft, said pulverizer consisting of two'flat discs slightly spaced apart, a fluid feed tube rotating with the discs and opening into the space between the discs near their axial centers and extending downward through said central opening in the auxiliary container into the fluid, a circular comb difluser carried on a part of the motor support so the teeth of the comb intercept the plane of the space between said discs, a fan for inducing a flow of air inwardly and downwardly between said containers and upwardly through the central opening in the auxiliary container and then forcing it through the teeth of said comb coincident with the expulsion of the pulverized fluid from between said discs; means for regulating the flow of fluid into said pipe and a cover fitting said auxiliary container for centrally contracting the mixture stream coming through the comb and above the bafiie plate into the auxiliary container.

23. In an apparatus of the class described, a main container, an auxiliary container carried by the main container, a unitary structure set within the auxiliary container, said unitary structure including" a motor, a support for the motor, a fluid pulverizer and fluid feeding means for the pulverizer and a fan; a pipe attached to the bottom of the main container and opening without the container forming a passage .for the motor supply conductors, a terminal block for said conductors attached to the top of the pipe and having a part at least extending wlthin the auxiliary container to receive a plug attached to the motor cable.

24. For a humidifier of the class described,

a combined pump and pulverizer, comprising f a pair of flat discs slightly spaced apart and mounted for rotation, the upper of said discs being impertorate whereby there is 9),t8n(lency to set up a vacuum between said discsfor the purposes described and a single tube mounted to rotate with the discs, said tube extending downward to a fluid supply and opening into the space between sai discs.

25. For an apparatus of the class described, a combined pump and pulverizer including; a pair of revolving suction and expulsion discs running in slightly spaced parallel flat planes, and a tube in rigid connection with said discs, said tube having a smooth and continuous fluid passageway leading into the space between said discs.

26. A humidifer, comprising a tank having its upper portion provided with an annular diaphragm plate open at its center and sustained at its outer perimeter upon the upper rim of the tank, the latter having apertures in its upper wall for permitting the inflow of air below the annular diaphragm plate, combined with a motor supported above the annular diaphragm plate, a horizontal rotatable disk secured to the motor shaft and arranged above the annular diaphragm plate, a centrifugal water pump of tapered cylindrical form axially arranged below the motor and rotated by it and extending through the central aperture of the annular diaphragm plate, fan blades secured in close relation to the underside of the horizontal disk and arranged between it and the annular diaphragm plate and immediately above the central opening therein, stationary dissipating means arranged in annular form about the perimeter of the horizontal disk, and a casing above the tank extending above the disk and dissipator means for directing the humidified currents of air upwardly above the motor.

27. The invention according to claim 26, I

wherein further, supporting means for the motor is provided aving radial arms extending beyond the horizontal disk and resting upon the annular diaphragm late, and an annular plate secured in fixed relation with the motor and its supporting means and ii close parallel relation with the horizontal rotatable disk and forming a shallow radial space between them.

28. The invention according to claim 26, wherein further, a circular plate is arranged in close parallel position with respect to the rotatable disk and adjacent to the surface of said disk over which the water film travels, said circular plate have a diameter approximating the diameter of the rotatable disk.

29. The invention according to claim 26, wherein further, there is provided annularly about the motor and immediately above the rotatable disk a plate having a diameter slightly less than the annular dissipating means, said plate shielding the rotatable disk 'rom above while leaving the annular dissipating means exposed from above for permitting the rise of the vapor therefrom.

30. The invention according to claim 26, wherein further, an annular plate is arranged above the rotatable disk and secured in position by the motor support to permit removal of the plate with the motor and filling of the tank with water while preventing the falling (wager from forcibly striking the rotatable 31. The invention according to claim 26, wherein further, the annular diaphragm plate is arranged at considerably lower level than the rotatable disk and is extended vertically upward in an annular wall to provide an annular passage surrounding the annular dissipator means, and for directing the air current from the fan upwardly on both sides of the said dissipator means.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature.

STANLEY S. CRAMER. 

